Wringer



N. L. ETTEN April s, 1958 WRINGER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed June 19, 1956 FIG. 1

INVENTOR F 1 3. 3 v mcHoLAs LETTEN N. L. ETTEN A ril s, 1958 WRINGER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1956 |NVENTOR MICHCJLA LETTEN I 4" -rd s I k 1 mm .1 mm

April s, 1958 N. L. ETTEN 2,829,512

WRINGER Filed June 19, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 4

INVENTOIR MlCHOLA LETTEM v g) P 57% ATTORNEYS April 8, 1958 N. L. ETTEN 2,829,512

WRINGER Filed June 19, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6

95 mmvrom, V I MICHOLA LETTEM E77 A'YTGRNEYE United States Patent Otiiice 2,829,512 Patented Apr. 8, 1958 WRINGER Nicholas L. Etten, Waterloo, Iowa, assignor to Chamberlain Corporation, Waterloo, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application June 19, 1956, Serial No. 592,295

2 Claims. c1. 68-263) An object of this invention is to provide an improved wringer reset mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved pressure release mechanism.

ln the wringer of this invention, a reset mechanism is provided in which levers and links are arranged in such a manner as to obtain a high mechanical advantage in a small space. A latch mechanism is provided which can be quickly and easily released. The component parts of both mechanisms are economically manufacturable and readily assembled, and both mechanisms are reliable in operation.

This invention contemplates other and more specific objects, features and advantages which will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a wringer constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational sectional view taken longitudinally through the wringer of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the wringer mechanism with portions of the housing structure removed; 1

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the wringer with portions of the housing structure broken away;

Figure 5 is an elevational sectional view taken substantially along line VV of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to the left-hand portion of Figure 2 but illustrating the parts in positions with pressure released between the wringer rolls.

Reference numeral 10 generally designates a wringer constructed according to the principles of this invention in which articles of clothing or the like are passed between 21 lower roll 11 and an upper roll 12 on vertically spaced parallel horizontal axes. The rolls 11 and 12 are normally urged together with considerable pressure which may be released by either pushing or pulling either one of a pair of release bars 13 and 14 extending along the sides of the wringer.

To reset the rolls 11 and 12 into pressure engagement, a handle element 15 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 to a position in which it projects outwardly from the wringer and is then moved downwardly after which it may be released. to allow spring means to return it to the position illustrated in Figure 1. The handle element 15 forms part of the outer housing for the wringer which housing also includes a pair of side plates 16 and 17, an end plate 18 and a top plate member 19 arranged to swing upwardly in a 2 clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 when pressure is released between the wringer rolls. The wringer is preferably arranged to be mounted on a washing machine or the like with the rolls 11, 12 coupled to a driven element of the washing machine through a suitable coupling assembly controlled by a flipper element 20.

The rolls 11 and 12 are formed by moulding rubber on shafts 21 and 22 which project at both ends beyond the rubber. The left and right-hand ends of the lower roll shaft 21 are supported on bearing blocks 23 and 24 which are preferably of hard wood supported on pins 25 and 26. The pin 25 is supported from a bracket 27 through springs in a manner as will be described and the pin 26 is rigidly affixed to a bracket 28. The brackets 27 and 28 form part of the wringer frame which also includes bars 29 and 30 extending along the sides of the wringer.

The ends of the upper roll shaft 22 are journalled in bearings 31 and 32 and maintained in assembly therewith by pins 33 and 34, washers 35 and 36 being disposed between the pins 33 and 34 and the bearings 31 and 32.

The bearing 31 is pivotally supported on a pin 37 which is carried on the end of an arm 38 pivoted on a shaft 39 fixedly carried from the wringer frame. The bearing 32 is pivotally supported on a pin 40 which is carried on an arm 41 pivoted on a shaft 42, the shaft 42 being supported through springs on the bracket 28 as will be described. i

A reset mechanism to be described is provided for holding the arm 38 in the position of Figure 2 to exert pressure between the rolls. When the reset mechanism is released, the arm 38 is free to move in a counter-clockwise direction and the arm 41 can move in a clockwise direction to allow separation of the rolls. To reset pressure between the rolls, the arm 38 is moved in a clock wise direction until the upper roll .12 just engages the lower roll 11. The arm 41 will then be in a position such that a line in a vertical plane through the roll axes and extending from the axis of the pin 42 to the axis of the pin 41 is at an acute angle to a line in such vertical plane extending downwardly from the axis of the pin 42 toward and normal to the axis of the lower roll 11. In the same position of the upper roll, the arm 38 is in a position such that a line in the same vertical plane extending from the axis of the pin 39 to the axis of the pin 37 will be at an obtuse angle to a line in the same vertical plane extending from the axis of the pin 39 downwardly toward and normal to the axis of the lower roll 11.

With this relationship, rotation of the arm 38 through a comparatively small angle in a clockwise direction to the position of Figure 1 will move the left-hand end of the upper roll 12 downwardly into pressure engagement with the lower roll 11, but the upper roll also moves to some extent to the right and such movement of the upper roll will cause the right-hand end thereof to move downwardly into pressure engagement with the lower roll, due to the position of the arm 41.

The reset mechanism foractuating the arm 38 comprises an arm 43 pivoted on a shaft 44 which is fixedly carried by the frame. The arm 43 is connected to the arm 38 through a link 45 pivotally connected by a pin 46 to an intermediate point of the arm 38 and pivotally connected by a pin 47 tothe arm 43. Movement of the arm 43 in a counter-clockwise direction will move the link 45 downwardly to move the arm 38 in a clockwise direction.

The arm 43 is actuated by actuation of the handle element 15. For this purpose, the handle element 15 is pivoted on apin 48 carried by a lever 49 which is pivoted on a pin 50 carried by the wringer frame. When the handle element 15 is rotated to a certain extent in a counter-clockwise direction, the lower edge 51 thereof engages a flange portion 52 of the lever 49 so that with further counter-clockwise rotation of the handle element 15, the lever 52 will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction. One end of a link 53 is pivotally connected to the lever 49 by the pin 48, and the other end thereof is pivotally connected to the lever 43 by a pin 54 so that counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 49 will effect counter-clockwise rotation of the lever arm 43.

A spring 55 is connected between the handle element and the pin 54 to move the handle element 15 to the illustrated position after the pressure reset mechanism is actuated.

The reset mechanism is releasably locked in the position illustrated in Figure 2. In particular, the lever 49 has an upstanding projection 56 engaged by a pin 57 on a latch arm 58 pivoted on a pin 59. The latch arm 58 is urged in a counter-clockwise direction by a coiled compression spring 60 on a guide pin 61, but is movable in a clockwise direction by a cam edge 62 on the projection 56 which engages the pin 57 when the lever 49 is moved into the position illustrated in Figure 2. To release the reset mechanism, the latch arm 58 is moved in a clockwise direction to move the pin 57 out of the path of the projection 56. This is effected by actuation of the bars 13, 14 through a mechanism which will be described in detail hereinafter.

The construction of the reset mechanism is an important feature of the invention. It will be noted that the lever 38 which is connected to the bearing 31 at the lefthand end of the top roll 12 and is supported on the shaft 39 which is spaced outwardly (to the left) from the left hand end of the top roll in the pressure applied position. The shaft 44, on which the lever 43 is supported, is disposed between the shaft 39 and the top roll, and the link 45 extends between the shafts 39 and 44, from the pin 7 on the lever 43 to the pin 46 on the lever 38, the link 45 having a generally S-shaped configuration as viewed in Figure 2. With this arrangement a high mechanical advantage, or force-multiplication, is obtained in a very small space. Also, the degree of force-multiplication increases when the top roll is moved downwardly into pressure engagement with the bottom roll. Due to the relation of the levers, a downward force can be exerted on the outer end of the lever 43 to cause the inner end of the lever 38 to move downwardly.

The construction of the levers and link also forms a specific feature of the invention. As shown in the end elevational View of Figure 3, the lever 38 is formed of two parallel plate portions 63 and 64 which are respectively carried by sleeves 65 and 66 journalled on the shaft 39, and the pins 37 and 46 extend through both of the plate portions 63 and 64. The link 45 similarly is formed by two spaced parallel plate portions 67 and 68 disposed just inside the portions 63 and 64 of the lever 38, and the lever 43 is formed by spaced parallel plate portions 69 and 70 just inside the portions 67 and 68 of the link 45. With this arrangement, a force balancing action is obtained to minimize any binding action at the pivotal connections. At the same time, the mechanism is compact and is readily constructed. It will be apparent that the link 45 and each of the levers 38 and 43 is symmetrically located with respect to a vertical plane through the roll axes.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the support for the release bar 13 comprises a generally U-shaped bar member 71 having a bight portion 72 journalled on the wringer frame for movement about an axis parallel to and slightly below the axis of the lower roll. The U-shaped member 71 has legs 73 and 74 the upper ends of which are turned outwardly and secured to the release bar 13 adjacent the opposite ends thereof.

The support for the release bar 14 similarly comprises a. generally U-shaped member'75 having a bightfportion 76 journalled on the wringer frame and upstanding leg portions 77 and 78, the upper ends of which are turned outwardly and secured to the release bar 14 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. A link 79 is secured by a pin to the leg 77 of the member 75 and by a pin 81 to the leg 73 of the member 71, so that the link 79 will be moved generally horizontally with inward or outward movement of either one of the release bars 13, 14.

The link 79 has an extension 82 the end of which is pivotally connected to one end of a link 83. As shown in Figure 3, the other end of the link 83 is pivotally connected by a pin 84 to the upper end of a lever 85 in the form of a plate which is pivoted on a pin 86 for movement about an axis parallel to and below the axis of the lower roll 11. The plate 85 is provided at its lower end with a pair of outwardly projecting integral portions 87 which underlie a horizontal plate portion 88 of the latch lever 58.

Movement of either one of the release bars 13, 14 either inwardly or outwardly will move the link 79 horizontally to rotate the lever 85 about the pin 86 through the link 83. Movement of the lever 85 in either direction will cause one or the other of the projections 87 to move upwardly to engage the plate portion 88 of the latch lever 58 and rotate the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 to move the pin 57 out of the path of the projection 56 of the lever 49. This will release the pressure between the wringer rolls.

As previously indicated, the support pin 25 for the bearing block 23 is resiliently supported from the wringer frame. This support is not illustrated in detail, but it may be noted that it includes a pair of coiled compression springs 59 and 9%) on bolts 91 and 92. The assemblies of springs 89 and 99 and bolts 91 and 92 are so connected to the wringer frame and the pin 25 as to urge the pin upwardly. The same general type of support is known in the prior art and, of course, any equivalent type of support might be used.

As also indicated above, the support pin 42 for the right-hand end of the upper roll is resiliently supported from the wringer frame. This support is not illustrated in detail because it is, by itself, known in the prior art. One form of support is illustrated in my copending application entitled Wringer, U. S. Serial No. 332,841, filed January 23, 1953 now Patent No. 2,770,963 granted November 20, 1956.

Means are provided for preventing drive of the wringer when pressure between the rolls is released. In particular, a rod 93 is supported along one side of the wringer for movement about its axis. The right-hand end of the rod 93 is connected to the drive coupling mechanism which is not shown but which is connected to the righthand end of the lower roll shaft 21, and the left-hand end of the rod 93 is bent upwardly and inwardly to extend over an in-turned projection 94 of the link 53 (Figure 2.). When the pressure is released between the wringer rolls, the link 53 will move upwardly to engage and actuate the rod 93 and the drive coupling mechanism is disengaged to prevent drive of the wringer rolls.

This invention thus provides a wringer having improved pressure release and reset mechanisms.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of this invention- I claim as my invention:

1. In a wringer, a frame, a bottom roll journalled for rotation in said frame, a top roll, support means journalling said top roll, and means for supporting said support means for movement of said top roll into and out of parallel interengaged relation to said bottom roll, comprising: a first lever connected at one end thereof to said support means adjacent one end of said top roll, a first shaft supporting the other end of said first lever and having an axis transverse to the axes of said rolls and spaced outwardly from said one end of said top roll when said rolls are in parallel interengaged relation, 2. second lever,

a second shaft supporting one end of said second lever and disposed parallel to said'first shaft and intermediate said first shaft and said one end of said top roll when said rolls are in parallel interengaged relation, a link extending from an intermediate point on said first lever downwardly between said shafts to said second lever, and means for actuating said second lever to exert pressure between said rolls.

2. In a wringer, a frame, a bottom roll journalled for rotation in said frame, a top roll, support means journalling said top roll, and means for supporting said support means for movement of said top roll into and out of parallel interengaged relation to said bottom roll, comprising: a first lever connected at one end thereof to said support means adjacent one end of said top roll, a first shaft supporting the opposite end of said first lever and having an axis transverse to the axes of said rolls and spaced outwardly from said one end of said top roll when said rolls are in parallel interengaged relation, a second lever, a second shaft supporting one end of said second lever and disposed parallel to said first shaft and intermediate said first shaft and said one end of said top roll when said rolls are in parallel interengaged relation, a first link interconnecting said first and second levers, a third lever pivoted on an axis below the axis of said lower roll, a second link interconnecting said second and third levers, and means for actuating said third lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,462 Schroeder Apr. 23, 1940 2,726,530 Fairgrieve Dec. 13, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 130,834 Australia Jan. 10, 1949 

